Stories from United States

A Department of Justice official stated that Maureen Comey will receive a trial by a jury of her peers regarding new charges. A jury hearing the full circumstances of the case may consider facts not included in the indictment. These facts include that Comey removed a post and apologized after being informed the term '86' is used in mob contexts to mean 'rub somebody out'. The Acting Attorney General stated there will be a motion to dismiss based on selective or vindictive prosecution. Prosecutors are looking at the extent to which it is appropriate to improve intent in this case. The case involves investigations into potential intent to commit harm. One commentator described the situation as vengeance masquerading as justice. A report from Lawfare, a Brookings senior fellow, suggests the Department of Justice is being used for political retribution.

A 60-page Bloomberg Intelligence report released within the last day suggests disruption to the $700 billion application software industry.

White House representative Anna Kelly told Reuters that the United States continues to conduct negotiations with Iran. The Gulf region provides 1.3 million barrels of global oil supply daily. Before the conflict, aviation fuel was priced between $85 and $90 per barrel.

A new bill in Virginia will allow law enforcement officers to wear medical protection masks, such as N95s, and masks designed to protect against chemical hazards. County Executive Mark Elrich is expected to sign the legislation. The bill was introduced in the Senate.

Governor Wes Moore signed legislation to reform the state's foster care system. The measure was introduced in response to the death of a 16-year-old in a Baltimore hotel while in state custody.

Documents obtained by Axios from the governor's office and five different agencies suggest information is being delayed or held back. This lack of transparency is raising questions regarding whether state residents are being denied access to critical information. The delay reportedly involves agencies across Olympia. Agencies including the Department of Health, transportation, and the Washington State Patrol have been directed to contact the governor's office before publishing news releases or responding to media inquiries. Records show the governor's office delayed a notice regarding a confirmed measles case at SeaTac Airport in October to make changes to the shared information. Staffers have reportedly expressed frustration with the requirement to run all communications through the governor's office.

Walmart is transitioning from paper price tags to digital screens in grocery stores to allow for real-time price adjustments based on demand or other data. Delegate Lord Charcutian noted that a recent move by Walmart spurred legislative action.

The Trump administration is urging Congress to restore funding for the Department of Homeland Security as available funds dwindle. The White House has issued warnings to Congress regarding the situation, according to an AP News report.

The Minnesota Wild defeated the Dallas Stars 4-2 to take a 3-2 series lead. The result places the Wild in a commanding position in the series. Quinn Hughes scored two goals during the game. The Wild are scheduled to face the Avalanche in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Flyers skated past the Oilers in the first period to advance to the second round. This victory marks the Wild's first playoff series win in 11 years. The Ducks also advanced after scoring three goals in the first period against the Oilers.

The Marina Coast Water District is reactivating a 30-year-old desalination plant in Marina, California. Remlea Schezinga of the district stated the move aims to diversify the water portfolio. The project is intended to reduce reliance on the groundwater basin and improve sustainability. The plant is expected to help boost the local water supply. The project involves preparing an existing intake well at Marina State Beach to pipe water back to the plant for re-injection into the dunes. The project is expected to serve roughly 1,000 homes along the Monterey Peninsula. The legislature must still approve $55 million to cover the California Department of Motor Vehicles' costs to execute the plan. The project is currently in its first phase involving preparation. It is expected to provide an additional 300 acre feet of water and become operational by the end of this year.